TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) -- John Parker Wilson threw for two touchdowns
and ran for a third Saturday, but it took a big defensive play by
Simeon Castille for Alabama to put away Houston 30-24 on the final
play.

Faced with criticism from fans after the Crimson Tide lost to Georgia
and Florida State, Wilson responded with a pair of 23-yard touchdown
passes to Nikita Stover and Mike McCoy and a 1-yard sneak to give
Alabama (4-2) a 23-0 lead after one quarter.

Houston's unorthodox no-huddle offense finally broke through, and
the Cougars (2-3) found themselves with a chance to tie the game
on the final play.

Brandon Brinkley picked off Wilson and the Cougars drove to the
Alabama 15 with 5 seconds remaining. Facing fourth-and-3, Case
Keenum scrambled away from pressure and threw a rainbow into a
crowd on the left side of the end zone.

Castille came down with the ball to preserve the win and was
mobbed by teammates.

Glen Coffee led Alabama with 122 yards and a touchdown on 30
carries. D.J. Hall caught three passes for 19 yards to become
Alabama's all-time receptions leader with 153, breaking the
old mark set by Freddie Milons.

Houston made it a game despite early breakdowns on defense.

After spotting Alabama three touchdowns and giving up a safety,
Houston got on the board when Blake Joseph threw a 68-yard touchdown
pass to Donnie Avery. T.J. Lawrence added a 34-yard field goal.

Alabama built its lead to 30-10 on Coffee's run, which was set
up by a fumbled punt, but things got tight for the Tide after that.

Keenum scored on a 2-yard run to cap a 75-yard, 12-play drive
early in the fourth quarter, and Anthony Aldridge caught a
30-yard touchdown pass from Keenum.

The Cougars got the ball back on their own 39 with 2:56 remaining,
but Castille's interception killed the comeback.

Houston averaged better than 33 points a game coming in, but it
was allowing more than 30 points. The numbers wound up working
in favor of Alabama, even though Houston outgained Alabama 404
yards to 347.